Orion Crew Module Aerodynamic TestingThe Apollo-derived Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), part of NASA s now-cancelled Constellation Program, has become the reference design for the new Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). The MPCV will serve as the exploration vehicle for all near-term human space missions. A strategic wind-tunnel test program has been executed at numerous facilities throughout the country to support several phases of aerodynamic database development for the Orion spacecraft. This paper presents a summary of the experimental static aerodynamic data collected to-date for the Orion Crew Module (CM) capsule. The test program described herein involved personnel and resources from NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Johnson Space Flight Center, Arnold Engineering and Development Center, Lockheed Martin Space Sciences, and Orbital Sciences. Data has been compiled from eight different wind tunnel tests in the CEV Aerosciences Program. Comparisons are made as appropriate to highlight effects of angle of attack, Mach number, Reynolds number, and model support system effects.
Document ID
20110013613
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Murphy, Kelly J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Bibb, Karen L. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Brauckmann, Gregory J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Rhode, Matthew N. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Owens, Bruce (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Chan, David T. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Walker, Eric L. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Bell, James H. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Wilson, Thomas M. (Engineering Research and Consulting, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)